Ages 4–18
Youth Therapy & Empowerment
Building confidence, self-awareness, respect and connection through relationships with equines.
Program Tracks
Clinical and non-clinical support for young people
This program recognizes the challenges young people face today — from social pressures and academic stress to emotional struggles and family dynamics — and offers a supportive environment where they connect and thrive.
EAGALA Equine-Assisted Therapy for Children
A clinical therapeutic program facilitated with a licensed mental health professional, focused on emotional regulation, social integration and self-awareness. Sessions with Licensed Clinical Counselor Dee DeLeon, LPCC, NCC, TMPC are $150. Our current partner therapist accepts Medi-Cal. If you don't have a personal therapist, work with our in-house team, or bring your child's own therapist and we'll help facilitate the session.
Youth Therapeutic Horsemanship
A non-clinical yet structured and supportive option facilitated by our Major's Place team, building confidence, communication and sensory awareness through groundwork.
Youth Empowerment
A more labor-intensive program including animal husbandry education, barn chores and horsemanship skills built week after week to develop confidence and character.
Horse Powered Reading®
Students interact with horses from the ground, using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills: phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
* Session goals vary depending upon the needs of the individual or group.
Program Objectives
What participants build
Building Self-Esteem
Through grooming, leading and interacting with horses, participants learn to trust themselves, develop self-assurance and recognize their own strengths.
Enhancing Communication
Horses respond to both verbal and non-verbal cues, so participants learn to express themselves clearly and assertively with peers, family and authority figures.
Developing Emotional Resilience
Immediate equine feedback builds awareness of feelings and teaches constructive ways to manage stress, anxiety and frustration — with perseverance and patience.
Fostering Responsibility
Caring for a horse requires dedication and consistency, instilling accountability and the understanding that actions have direct consequences.
Promoting Teamwork & Leadership
Collaborative activities and team-building challenges teach cooperation, mutual respect and leadership within a group setting.
Cultivating Empathy
By caring for sentient beings with their own personalities and needs, participants develop deeper empathy toward animals and people alike.
Structure
How sessions are organized
- Individual sessions — Personalized attention focused on each participant's specific needs and goals.
- Group workshops — Peer interaction centered on leadership, communication and problem-solving.
- Special events and camps — Immersive experiences that dive deeper into horsemanship, teamwork and personal development.
The program is open to children and adolescents of all backgrounds, with particular focus on those experiencing low self-esteem, social anxiety, behavioral challenges or the impacts of trauma — and for any young person looking to grow.
Families
Family & group therapy sessions
Family sessions are designed to strengthen connections, improve communication and foster healing within families facing stress, trauma or life transitions.
Led by an experienced therapist, these sessions provide a supportive environment where family members can openly express their thoughts and feelings, understand each other's experiences, and work through conflict constructively.
Financial assistance is available
Apply for our scholarship program today. Donations to Major's Place are applied directly to our general and youth scholarship program funds.